Train-dispatching system for railroads



R. M. PHINNEY TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILHOADS Filed Sept. 21, 1929 'I ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 19x31 UNETED si? ROBERT M. PHINNEY, oFRooHRS'rER, kNRW YORK, ASSIGNOR rro GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL co'ivrralvrv-y 0F ROCHESTER, NEW, YORK l TRAIN-DISPATCHING SYSTEM RORRAILROADS Application led September 21, 19.29; Serial No. 394,240.

' In train dispatchingsystems ofthe type shown in the application of F. L.Dodgson7 mitted in accordance ser. No. 187,508 -iednprn 29, 1927,1t isv sometimes found necessary to give more indications of occupancy of track circuits than lcan be accomplished over. the control wires for controlling switch machines and signals, and the present invention relates to anarrangement enabling two conflicting continuouslyl eifective' signalling indications to be given over the same line circuit simultanecusly.v These indicationsl shou'ldbe of continuous nature so that not only the instant of occupancy of a track circuitlis indicated but the instantof clearing of such track circuit'is also indicated. In accordance with the present invention itis proposed to give one indication bythe transmission of current ofpositive polarity to give another indication bythe transmission of current ofpnegative polarity and to simultaneously give'both of these indications bytransmitting alternate positive and negative impulses over the line circuit.y Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of v,means for momentarily soundinganalarm for each important changel in ,signal indications transwith the present invention. M f

Other objects, purposes, and characteristic features of the present invention 'will in part be obvious from the accompanying drawings and vin part be pointed out hereinafter. 'n x Y In describing the invention in detail reference will be made to the single drawing conventionally illustrating one embodiment of the' present invention, in which theportion inthe rectangle signifies the apparatus in the dispatchers office and the rest of .the

drawing shows the .apparatus passing siding. Y .y

Thefinvention lhas been shown applied for indicating thecccup'ancy-` r of two trackl cirf cuits, one of `which is on the main track and at a distantV the other of which is on the side track of a passing siding PS. It should however be understood that the invention is equally apv plicablevfor indicating positions of Switches, signals, derails andthe like. k'Ihe rails of the railway track have been shown at l, di-V vided, into track sections by insulating joints 2, of whichr the maintrack section includes a track circuit having a track battery 3 and a track relay kT, and of which the side track isprovided with a track circuit having a track battery 4 vand a track relay T1.k VAt the location of the passing siding PS'areprovidedginterlocked relays X and Y, conveniently called` oscillating relays, inf that they yareso interlocked that energization of oneofk these relays effects deenergization of the other, so thatV they will continue to pick up and drop through the medium of their interlocked circuits whenv currentv is applied thereto.v i l l f In the dispatchers officie is provided a miniature tracklayout which diagrammatically illustrates the distant passingsiding PS by the miniature passing siding p3, and in practice the entire railroad to which the invention is applied is` reproduced in miniature in the i dispatchers office yin the same way. Adjacent the main trackof the miniature passing siding p3 is shown an indicating lamp MI, which when lighted manifests occupancy of the inain track of the passing siding PS, and similarly theindicating lamp SI adjacent the side track of the miniature track layout illus- `trates, when illuminated, occupancy of the -side track ofthe passing siding PS. The dispatchers oiiice apparatus also includes a line relay LR of the biased-to-neutral polar type together with slow-acting relays SR and MR, and an audible signal 'or' bell BL.v It is believed that the invention will be more -readf ily understood by considering the operation of the system conventionally illustrated, and suchopeijation will now be taken up. f

Operatioaj-Let iusy assume that a train enters the main track of a passing siding As soon as this train treads upon the track circuit containing the .track relay lT this track relay T will be deenergized Yand its Aback contact 9 will close the followingV circuit forthe line relay LR beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 10, wires 11 and 12, back contact 9 of the trac-k relay T, wires 13 and 14, front contact 15 of the track relay T1, wire 16, back contact 17 of the relay X, line wire 18, winding ofthe line relay LR, wires 19, O and 20, to the midpoint of battery 10. The flow of current in this circuit causes the contact 21 of the line relay LR to move to the right, thereby closing the following circuit for the main indicatingrelay MR.:-beginning at the terininal'B of a suitable battery, wire 22, contact 21 of the relay LR, wires 23 and 24, Winding of the relay MR, to the common return wire O connected to the other terminal of said battery.

Similarly, the following circuit for the -bell BL' is closed beginning at the terminal B, Wire 22, contactr21 of the relay LR, wires 23 and 25, back contact 26 of the relay lVIR, wires 27 and 28, winding of the bell BL, to common return wire O. it will be noted that the circuit just traced vwill Vonly be closed momentarily in that it will again be opened at the contact 26 as soon as the mainrelay MR assumesiits attracted position. `After this momentary sounding of the bell BL the following circuit for the Amain indicating lamp MI is closed beginning at the t terminal B of a suitable battery, front contact 30 of therelay MR, wire 31, indicating lampl MI, to the other terminal@ of said battery. Obviously, when the train passes oli' ofthe main track of the passing siding PS the track relay T is again energized, the circuit for the line relay LR is broken, the main relay MR Y is deenergized andthe indicating lamp MI is extinguished. n

Let us now assume that the side track of the I passing siding PS is occupied and that the track relay T1 assumes its retracted position. Under this condition the following circuit for the relay LR is closed :-I-beginning at the negative terminal of the batterylO, wire 47,

' contact 15 of the track relay T1, in its retracted position, wire 16, back contact-17 of the relay X, line wire 18, winding of the relay LR,vwires 19,' O and 20, to the midpoint of battery 10. The completion of this circuit causes the line relay LR to be moved to its left-hand position in which the following circuit for the relay SR is closed beginning at the terminal B, wire 22, contact 21, wires 32 and ,33, winding of the relay SR to the other terminal O of said battery. Similarly,

the following circuit for the bell BL is closed z-beginning atthe terminal B, wire 22, contact 21 ofthe relay LR, wires 32 and 34, back Contact 35 of the relay SR, wires 36 and 28, winding of the bell BL, to the other terminal O of said battery. 1t will be noted that the circuit for the bell BL is only momentarily closed in that the attraction of the armature'of relay SR causes the contact 35 to open this circuit.

ternate positive With the relay SR assuming its energized position the following circuit for illuminating the lamp SI is closed z-beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, front contact 48 of the relay SR, wire 49, indicating lamp SI, to theother terminal O of said battery. Obviously, clearing of the track circuit of the side track of the passing siding PS will cause the track .relay T1 to pick up, thereby again eatin'guishingthe' lamp S1, for obvious reasons..

Let us nowv assume that both of the tracks of the passing siding PS are occupied, either simultaneously or one at a later time than the other. Viith both of the track relays T and T:l assuming their retracted position the following circuit is closedfor the oscillating relay Xz-beginning at the positiverterminal of the battery 10, wires 11 and 12,'back contact 9 of the' track relay T, wires 13,'back contact 4() of the track relay'Tl, wires 41 and 42, 'back contact 43 of the relay Y, wire 44, winding of the relay X, wires and 46, to the negative terminal of the battery 10.

The closure of this circuit causes the'relay X to be energized, and as soon as this relay X Vassumes its energized position the contact of this relay X'closes, Vthereby closing the following circuit for the relay Y z-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 10, wires 11 and12, backk contact 9 of the track relay T, wire 13, back contact 40 of the track relay T1, wires 41 and 51, contact 50 of the relay X, wire 52, winding of the relay Y, wires 53 and 46, to the negative terminal of the battery 10.'v Obviously, energization of this relay Y causes it to pick up its contact 43 thereby opening the energizing circuit of the relay X, so that the relay X again assumes its retracted position, and in so doing causes the relay Y to be deenergized, which when it assumes its deenergized position will again energize the relay X. In other words, these relays will continue to bob up and down, so to speak, by reason of having their energizing circuits alternately made and broken as is apparent from the circuits for these relays just traced.

lith the relay X repeatedly picking up and' dropping, its contacts 17 will alternately apply positive and negative currentto the line relayY LR in the dispatchers office, through the branch portion 11-56 and 47--15-16, respectively. This flow of aland rnegative impulses through the winding of the line relay LR causes the contact 21 of this relay LR to repeatedly energize the relays SR and MR. Since these relays SR and MR are slow-dropping, as conventionally shown by the shaded portion thereof, these relays SR and MR will both be maintained in their attracted position, thereby closing their respective contacts 30 and 48, and thereby illuminating the indicating lamps MI and SI, indicating occu pancy of thev main track and "side track of the passing siding PS. It Will be readily under stood thatl if one of these trainspasses oli' of its track circuit that the oscillation of the relays X and Y Will be discontinued and cur-v rent of the proper polarity correspondingto that of'tlietrack circuit still occupied Will be' transmitted to the line relay LR, so that one of the lamps MI or SI will be extinguished and the other Will reinain'illuminated. Also,

it ivill be understoodV that the bell BL is momentarily soundedas each ofthe relays SR and MR assumesits attracted position, and

, that this bell is not sounded when these relays again assume their attractedposition.

Although the present invention has heen shown applied to a system wherein itY is proposed to give two conflict-ing indications over the same line circuit by the use of direct current, it shouldbe understood that two independent controls can be carried on: even though these controls are unrelated and must at times be applied in over-lapped relation. For instance, if desired, contacts 9 and contacts 40 and l-mayv be applied to control levers and the relaysSR and MR may beused as control relays to control switch machines,

derails, signals, and the'like. Also, the system is useful ininterlocking yards, and is useful for controlling an outlying switch, and

the scope of the invention'is not' such as to` limit its application to train dispatching only.

Having thus shown and. described one rather specific embodiment of the present in'- vention, it is desired to be understood that this has been done for the purpose of facilitating disclosure of the invention rather than illustrating fthe exact circuit arrangementV preferably-employed in practicing the invention or the scope of the invention, and that various changes, modifications and additions, may ybe niadeto adaptthe invention tothe particular problem encountered in practicing the --saine, allvvithout ydeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention, or the idea of means underlying the sanie, except as demanded by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a system for indicating the ioirogress of trains at a distant point; the combination With'tvvo distant track sections of a railvvay dering bothof said indicators active when said polar relay oscillates from one'polar position tothe other polar position, andfineans vat said distant' point'ifor applying electrical energy of one polarity to said lineV circuit' When-one of saidvsections is occupied applyingL energy of theopposite polarity when the othersection is occupied and alternately applyingenergy of one polarity and then of. the other polarity ivlienboth of said sections said dispatchers office and said' distantv point includinga polar relayfat said dis- A patchers office, means Yat said dispatchers oice for rendering one of said indicators active When said polar relay assumes one polar position, for rendering rthe other of said indicatorsactive Whensaid polar relay assumes the oth r Vpolar posit-ionl and rendering both ofsaid indicators active Whenfsaid polar relay oscillatcs from one polarposition to the other polar position, and means at said distant point for applying,electrical energy of one polarity to said line circuit when one of said devices isoperated applying energy of theopposite polarity When-the other device is operated and alternately applyingfenergy of one polarity and then of the other polarity When both of said devices are operated.4 y In a systeinfor indicating thel progress of trains at a distant point; the combination With two distant track sections of a railway track and a local dispatchers oiiice;- of an indicator at said dispatchers oiiice lfor each of said track sections ,and means for rendering said indicators effective in response to occupancy of said sections comprising; a line circuit connecting said dispatchers oiiice and distant pointincludinga direct current polar relay at said dispatchers office, means at saidr vdispatchers oi'iicefor rendering one of said indicators active when saidk polar-relaV assumes one polar position, for rendering the other of said indicators active When said polar relay assumes the other polar position and renderingboth of said indicators active When said `polar relay oscillates fromv one polar position to the other polar position, and means at said distant point for applying direct current of one polarity to said line circuit When one of said-sections is occupied applying direct current of the opposite polarity when the other section is occupied and alternately applying direct current of one polarity and then of the other polarity `when both-,of said sections are occupied.

4f, In a system for indicating the progresa of trains at a distant point; the combination, with two distant traiiic controlled devices of a railway track and a local dispatchersoiice of an indicator at said ldispatchers oihce for i lar position, for rendering the other of said indicators active when said polar relay assumes the ther polar position and rendering both of said indicators active when said polar relay oscillates from one polar position to the other polar position, and means at said distant point for applying direct current ofone polarity to said line circuit when one of said devices is operated applying direct current oi' the opposite polarity when the other device is operated and alternately applying direct current energy of one polarity and then of the other polarity when both et said devices are operated. l

. 5. In a system for indicating the progress of trains at a distant point; the combination with two distant track sections oa railway track and a local dispatchers office; ot

an indicator for each of said track sections; and means for rendering said indicators ei-r fective in response to occupancy ot said sections coniprising; a line circuit connecting said dispatchers otice and said distant point including a polar relay at said .dispatchers office, two slow dropping relays associated with said polar relay one' ot which is energized when said polar relay assumes one polar position and the other of which is energized when said polar relay assumes the other polar position, and one of said indicators being controlled by one of said slow dropping relays and the other of said indicators being controlled by the other slow dropping relay, and means at said distant point for applying electrical energy of one polarity to said line circuit when one of said sections is .occupied applying lenergy of the opposite polarity when the other section is occupied and alternately applying energy of one polarity and then of the other polarity when vboth of said sections are occupied.

6. In a system for indicating the progress of trains at a. distantpoint; the combination with two distant traffic controlled devices of a railway track and a local dispatchers office; of an indicator for each of said traffic controlled devices; and means for rendering said indicators etfective'in response to a change in said devices comprising; a line circuit connecting said dispatchers oiiice and said distant point including a polar relay at said dispatchers office, two slow-droppingv relays associated with said polar relay one of which is energized when said polar relay lassumes one polar position and the other of which is energized when said polar relay assumes the other polar position, and one of said indicators being controlled by one of said slow dropping relays and the other of said indicators being controlled by the, other slow-dropping relays, and means at saiddistant point for applying electrical'energy ot' one polarity vto said line ycircuit when one ot said devices is operated, applying energy of the opposite polarity when the other` device is operated and alternately applying energy ot one polarity and then of the other polarity when both of said devices are operated.

7. In a system for indicating` the progress of trains at a distant point; the combination with two distant track sectionsof a railway track and a local dispatchers otfic'e; ol an indicator for each of said track sections; and means for rendering said indicators effective in response to occupancy of said sections comprising; a line circuit connecting said dispatchers oiiice and said distant point including a Adirect current polar relay at said dispatcher-s office, two slowdropping relays associated with said polar relay one of which is energized when saidpolar relay assumes one polar position and the other oi' which is energized when said polar relay assumes the other polar position, and one of said indicators being controlled by one of said polar relays and the other or" said indicators being controlled by the other polar relay, and means at said distant point forL applying direct current of one polarity to said line circuit when one of said sections is occupied, Vapplying direct current of the opposite polarity when the other section is occupied and alternately applying direct current energy of one polarity and then ot the other polarity when both of said sections are occupied.

8. ln combination; a line acting rela-ys at one end of said line circuit; two circui'U closing devices at the other end oi' said line circuit; a battery associated with said circuit closing devices to enable current of either polarity to be applied to said line circuit; and means including a polar relay to etl'ect energization ot one, the other, both or neither of said slow acting relays in response to closure of one, the other, both or neither oit said circuit"closing devices.

9. A system for transmitting two continuing distinctive indications ot tralic over a single circuit comprising; a single line circuit connecting a local oilice and a distant point; mea-ns for energizing said line circuit with current of one polarity under one trafiic' condition, energizing said line circuit with current of the opposite polarity under circuit; two. slow another traiiic condition and for energizing said line circuit alternately with. currents of opposite polarities'when botliof said traic conditions exist; and means at said local oiiice' for indicating the condition of energizatioii of said line circuit. t Y

l0. A system for tiaiismittingitwo continuing distinctivey indications of tralic over a single circuit comprising; a single line circuit connecting a local oilce and a distant point; means for energizing said line circuit V with current of one polarity under one traflic condition, energizing said line circuit with current of the opposite polarity under another traiiic condition and for energizing said line circuit alternatelywith currents of opposite polarities when both of said trafic conditions exist; twoindicators atsaid local olice one of which is active `when saidv line circuit is energized by current of one polarity, the other of' which is active when said line circuit is energized by current of the othery polarity and both of whicliare active if said line circuit is alternately ener gized with currents of opposite polarities.

11. A system for transmitting two coiitiiiuing distinctive indications of tralific over a single circuit comprising; a. single line circuit coniiecting alocal oflice and a distant point; means for energizing said line circuit with curr-ent of one polarity under one traHic Y f relay assumes its energized position.

12. A system 'for transmitting two continuing distinctive indications of traific over a single circuit comprising; a single line circuit connecting a local office and a distant point; means for energizing said line circuit with current of one polarity under one traiic condition, energizing said line circuit with current of the opposite polarity under another traffic condition and for energizing said line circuit successively with currents of opposite polarities when both of said traflic conditions exist; and means at said local office for indicating the condition of energization of said line circuit.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature. ROBERT M. PHINNEY. 

